A proposal for illegal immigration

Few issues in Texas are as hotly debated as Immigration. The Migration Policy Institute estimates there are more than 1,000,000 undocumented immigrates living in Texas, second only to California. The numbers have been increasing steadily for years. Illegal immigrates are not just coming from Mexico. They are moving south from Oklahoma and east from Arizona. Recently these two states passed tough new laws that make it much more difficult for illegal immigrants to live and work there. Oklahoma’s law makes it illegal to transport, harbor, or hire illegal immigrants. Arizona’s new law will suspend the business license of any company who hires illegal immigrants. Texas has no such law, making it a safe haven for illegals, an expensive safe haven. According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Texas spends $4.7 Billion annually for the education, medical care, and incarceration of illegal immigrants. If the taxes paid by illegal immigrants are subtracted the number falls to a lowly $3.7 billion annually. This equates to about $725 per native born Texas resident annually.

These numbers are astonishing but what do we do about them? We can’t round up every illegal immigrant in the state and drop them off at the border but on the other hand, we can grant everyone immunity and citizenship either. We need a middle ground that most of us can agree on.

My plan will involve three steps, each one incremental implemented over a period of time. The first step would be to try and stop or slow down the influx of illegal immigrants coming into Texas today. To do this we need to adapt tougher measures on businesses and individuals who hire illegal immigrants. The “sanctuary” polices of Houston, Austin, and San Antonio will have to go. We need to let everyone know we are no longer a safe haven for illegal immigrants. Legislation will have to be passed to fine those knowingly hire illegal immigrants. All illegal immigrants currently working will be “grandfathered” in and will not be affected.

Step two is to get an accurate count of who is here and what they are doing. The state will offer temporary immunity for illegal immigrants to come forward and be counted. Forms will be posted at every state post office or city government building for them to register. Each and every application will be investigated. Anyone found with a criminal record will be automatically denied. Those who have been working, obeying our laws, and providing a living for themselves and their families will be approved. All approved applications will be granted a work permit and be allowed to stay, providing they continue to obey the law and pay taxes.

Step three is to get tough. Once the temporary period is over, no more applications will be accepted. Any illegal immigrant found who has not completed an application will be subject to immediate deportation. This highlights the reason the “sanctuary” polices will have to go.

Once word gets out that Texas is not a place to be illegally, our immigration problems will start to dwindle.